PR: Philippines: BSP releases more inclusive, secure banknotes

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched enhanced Philippine banknotes that are more responsive to the needs of the elderly and the visually impaired, and feature the latest anti-counterfeiting technology.

“To further promote inclusivity and integrity in our currency, the BSP also took an opportunity to further improve our banknotes as part of global best practices and, at the same time, improve on its design and security features,” said BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno.

The country’s New Generation Currency (NGC) Banknote Series now in circulation was first issued in December 2010. Currency experts worldwide recommend improvements in security features and other enhancements every 10 years.

To further refine on the current series’ design, the BSP added short horizontal lines that may be touched and felt at the right side of the banknotes. There will be one pair of these lines for the 50-Piso, two pairs for the 100-Piso, three for the 200-Piso, four for the 500-Piso, and five for the 1000-Piso. This is seen to assist the elderly and the visually impaired identify banknotes and distinguish one denomination from another.

The security features of the 500-Piso and 1000-Piso were strengthened by adding a roller bar effect on the value panels and color-shifting in the Optically Variable Ink. These features will make the higher denominations more difficult to counterfeit.

Moreover, the improvements highlight the country’s rich culture by featuring indigenous Filipino weaves on the windowed security thread of the 100-Piso, 200-Piso, 500-Piso and 1000-Piso banknotes.

The NGC banknotes without the enhanced features will remain legal tender and shall co-exist with the abovementioned enhanced banknotes.

Enhancements to the NGC banknotes:

1. Additional tactile marks for the elderly and visually impaired in the form of intaglio-printed pairs of short horizontal lines;

2. Windowed Security Thread (100-Piso; 200-Piso; 500-Piso and 1000-Piso) featuring indigenous weaves from various regions of the country;

3. Optically Variable Ink (500-Piso and 1000-Piso), color-shifting when tilted; and

4. Enhanced Value Panel (500-Piso and 1000-Piso) by adding a rolling-bar effect.